With the ever growing popularity of our pristine, gorgeous Montauk, it is quite understandable that more people want to vacation here. Often families or groups decide to come on vacation together and therefore a home rental is a better option for them. Perhaps you are a landlord and have rented your home during the high season. Maybe you have rented one yourself with your family and enjoyed the time without thinking of how your behavior might affect others nearby. Here are some pointers that might help guarantee that you are welcomed back to the same rental the following year. Or if you are a person that rents out your home, you might want to think about your neighbors that ill-mannered renters might annoy or become a nuisance to them. Here is a ten point guide on how to be the perfect renter this summer.
Lease agreement- If there are a maximum nwnber of people allowed, be honest and stick to that nwn ber. Very often a renter will tell the landlord “only two couples will be there” and then six more show up. Be honest, if the lease is for a certain number of people. Don’t invite every friend you know, if you are going above the lease rules.
Noise Level – Most homes are in a residential area and loud noise after a certain hour is disturbing. Besides there are town ordinances stating loud music after a certain hour is prohibited. Turn down that blaring music and lower the volume so nearby homes are not kept awake into the wee hours. This also goes for loud conversations, horseplay and late night drinking and being rowdy.
Pets – if the lease says “no pets” stick to that agreement
Smoking – If the home owner does not want the odor of smoke in the house, follow this request if there is a smoker in the group, make sure your guests only smoke on the patio or in the yard.
Beach Sand – It is inevitable that sand is part of a beach vacation. Treat the rental as if it were your own. Wipe your feet outside after you return from the beach. Shake out towels and beach blankets before taking them inside. Be sure to sweep the floor, especially wood floors, so as not to ruin the finish. If the house has an outside shower, use it when you return from the beach to re move excess sand from your swim suit and hair.
Toddlers along- Don’t use this week to toilet train your child on someone else’s sofa, bed or overstuffed chairs. If your child wears a diaper at home, continue the practice on your vacation.
Broken items – Let the owner know, if the leg cracked on a lawn chair, if the dryer or boiler were making weird sotmds. Often this is a safety issue and gives the landlord time to replace or repair the item.
Smoke detectors – Don’t disconnect them if the battery beeps. Contact the landlord and tell him or her about the problem. Better yet, bring your own portable smoke detector in case the house does not have one or it does not work
Supplies – If the lease requests that you replace any used supplies, be sure to do it. Perhaps this entails buying paper towels and napkins or detergent you used up. Some leases ask renters to strip the beds and put soiled towels in a basket or wash them before departure, if a washer and dryer are on site.
Trash – Know what days the trash is picked up and recycle requirements. Leave the house the way you found it and ready for the next guest.
